Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande - Resèrve de la Comtesse 2018

Jeannie Cho Lee

VertdeVin

The nose is aromatic, elegant and offers power (full of control), concentration (full of control) and intensity. It reveals notes of ripe wild blackberry, wild strawberry and small notes of small wild fruits associated with touches of pepper, lily, violet as well as fine hints of cola, zan, camphor, discreet hints of vanilla and an imperceptible hint of roasted. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, fresh and offers a beautiful definition, fullness, suavity, a justly controlled small richness as well as power, deepness and a fine austerity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of wild cassis, wild blackberryand small notes of small wild fruits associated with touches of raspberry, cherry, black tea, camphor as well as hints of cocoa, caramelization, lily, zan, a subtle hint of sugared mild tobacco, toasted oak and a hint of roasted. Tannins are precise, racy and structuring. Good length and persistence. A suave, gourmand persistence and offers a fine hint of good bitterness of the cocoa.

James Suckling

Aromas of dried violets, blackcurrants, oyster shells, ink and bitter chocolate. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Concentrated and tight with an nicely austere finish. Needs a few years to soften. Second wine of Pichon Lalande. Try from 2025.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This second wine represents 41% of the crop. Composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Reserve de la Comtesse springs from the glass with vibrant scents of ripe blackcurrants, black raspberries and baked plums, plus suggestions of pencil lead, cedar chest, ground cloves and lilacs. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly crafted with fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness nicely framing the delicate fruit, finishing earthy.